Abstract: The invention relates to linear and cyclic peptide and pseudopeptide compounds useful as analgesics, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, the use of the compounds and the compositions in the treatment of pain, and commercial packages containing such compounds and compositions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for transforming cells, resulting in efficient and stable site-specific integration of transgenes, are disclosed. Transformation is achieved by providing an acceptor DNA containing two inverted lox sequences and a donor DNA containing the same two inverted lox sequences, and then contacting the acceptor and donor DNA with a recombinase (e.g., Cre or Flp) which causes recombination at the lox sequences contained in the DNAs. Prior to recombination, the acceptor DNA is preferably integrated into the genome of a cell, such as an embryonic stem cell or a fertilized egg. The acceptor DNA optionally may further contain a negatively selectable marker to allow for screening of cells which have undergone the desired site-specific recombination (e.g., DNA cassette exchange).

Abstract: The oral vaccine of the present invention containing the HPV like particles is produced in edible transgenic plants and then administered through the consumption of the edible portion of those plants or after the purification of the particles. A DNA sequence encoding one of the HPV capsid proteins is isolated, inserted into the plasmid which comprises a plant-specific promoter and a gene for a selection marker, and then transferred to plant cells to give transgenic plants. Since the gene is expressed in a portion of the plants, the oral vaccine of the present invention can be produced in an inexpensive manner and administered in a simple method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a compound of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; in which preferably R3, R4 and R6 are each hydrogen; X is C═O or CH2; and R7 and R8 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C1-C12)alkyl, (C3-C8)cycloalkyl and (C1-C12)alkyl(C6-C14)aryl; or R7 and R8 when taken together form a (C2-C7)alkylene group; or —NR7R8 together forms a (C2-C14)heterocyclic or substituted (C2-C14)heterocyclic. Such compounds modulate the activity of serine hydrolases and can be used in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.